MPM

Slideshow of 2009 Design Trends

Lame Obama logos that didn’t make the cut, thank God!

I found this article about the design process behind the now historic Barack Obama logo. I’m SO happy they chose the logo that is so memorable.  Some of these ideas are pretty lame.  What’s interesting to see is the actually progress from the first to the final choice.

My Top 10 List of Graphic Design/Web Design sites

The internet has been both my greatest resource as well as my greatest vice!

As a Resource, I’ve discovered several websites in Graphic Design and Web Design that have become invaluable to my business.  Here’s my top ten list in no particular order:

1.  FFFFound.com : truck loads of design samples.  Great for breaking creative blocks.

2.  Freelanceswitch: Great website offering advice on Freelance Graphic Design Industry

3.  Logopond: Some very good logo designs are posted here.  Some by yours truly.

4.  Newseum.org: This place is definitely on my Bucket list

5.  Book Design Review: Two of my favorite things: Books and Design

6.  Linked-In: Great for business networking.  Lets connect!

7.  Just Creative Design & David Airey: Two of my favorite blogs of top designers.

8.  Freak-o-nomics: Nothing to do with Design.  Everything to do with marketing.  READ THIS BOOK!

9.  Pearsonified.com: The most talented Web Designer and Wordpress developer I’ve found on the internet.

10.  Morning People Marketing: What? You thought I wasn’t going to toot my own horn?

DIY Design v. The Professionals: The Home Depot Effect

I read a blog post on HOTCARDS.COM from 2006 about DIY (Do It Yourself) designers and how they are hurting the quality and professionalism of the design industry.

I swear this debate has absolutely NO SIGNS of getting old.   Especially with the economy going down the toilet.

In this economy look for more DIY Designers looking to suppliment their incomes with design work.  Also look for some of those “High End” professionals to offer cheaper bargain basement prices for some of their work.  And third, look for alot more IN HOUSE design; secretaries and marketing departments throwing together campaigns in Microsoft Word (yuck!)

What gets me is why are these PROFESSIONALLY trained designers so suprised.  The DIY Movement is a part of every facet of our society.  Home Improvement, Interior Design, Music Industry, Journalism, Television. I call this the HOME DEPOT EFFECT.

2008 Marketing Trends

Great post on HOTCARDS.COM about 2008 and 2009 Marketing Trends.